Freshman Firsts: Connerton Academy, #1

By Cassie Hargrove

Nothing is as it seems at Connerton Academy…

 

It's not every day you get a full ride to one of the top schools in the world, but when everything I know changes in the blink of an eye, I'm left trying to find out who I am in a world I didn't know existed.

 

A world where good vs evil takes on a whole other meaning, and somehow I've found myself in the crosshairs with no way out.

 

I'm not alone though. I have Brian and he's beside me every step of the way. While others are trying to destroy me for their own personal gain, he's doing everything to protect me.

 

How did my life become so complicated, and why does it feel like this is just the beginning?

 

 

** Connerton Academy is a college aged reverse harem romance where the FMC end up with 3 or more men.

It contains dark elements and mature subject matter. Readers should be 18+. **

*** Previously published as a high school aged romance, and has since been reworked and edited, but the storyline remains largely the same. ***

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cassie Hargrove
• Release date: Apr 2, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215534960

Book preview

1

Harleigh

All eyes are on me as I walk through the doors of Connerton Academy. It’s where I’m going to spend the next four years studying before I can finally move away from here.

I grew up here in Blossom, California, and had hoped to leave after high school, but that didn’t happen. It couldn’t. Not when I was offered a four year ride to a prestigious Academy that others coveted.

How I came to receive a scholarship is beyond me. I didn’t even apply, but there was no mistake and I wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Connerton may be located in the middle of nowhere, but it thrives because it offers top of the line studies with around the clock security.

I can already tell that this school is different than my last one as I walk through the doors.

It’s not just the fact that I’ll be living in the dorms, or that most people have to pay out the ass to get a spot here.

There’s just a different energy in the air. Everyone is walking around like they’re meant to be here. There’s no question whether it’s a the right school for them.

I’m walking down the hall lost in my own thoughts and collide with something hard and immoveable. Looking up, I come face to face with the hottest guy I have ever seen. Or rather, face to chest with.

Yeah, I’m that short.

He’s extremely tall and brooding with black hair, glasses, and covered in tattoos. His right eyebrow is pierced, and he has small gauges in both ears and confidence exudes off of him as he stands there smiling at me.

Hey, you good? His deep voice sounds like music to my ears.

Uh, yeah. I’m so sorry! Are you okay? Yeah sure, Harleigh. You managed to hurt him when he’s built as solid as a brick wall. I mentally face palm myself for being a moron.

I’m fine, he chuckles with a smirk. I’m Brian. You’re new here?

Yeah. Hi. Harleigh, I stammer.

Way to be shy. We talked about this, Harleigh. Be confident and shake his hand or something.

Before I can even put that thought into action, he starts talking again. Me too. First year. Mind if I come with to grab my schedule?

Not at all.

Harleigh, do not blush!

I don’t mind your blush; I think it’s cute.

Oh, my God, I said that out loud, didn’t I? I seriously suck with guys.

You did. He laughs and wraps his arm around my shoulder. But I like it. Means you’re honest. Come on, Harleigh, let’s get this day started.

Brian

Of all the secondary choices I had to choose from, I still ended up half way across the world from my parents because they said I needed to broaden my horizon and experience other cultures.

I fought it hard at first, but decided that they were probably right. It didn’t help that I started feeling this draw and need to be here that I didn’t quite understand.

I know it has something to do with coming into more of my abilities, but I couldn’t fathom why I was needed here in the middle of fucking nowhere.

There were plenty of colleges, academies and universities that tendered to half-blooded individuals like myself.

I’m half human, half angel, but the only power I possess so far is being able to sense demons.

Other than that, I am your average guy just trying to live my life. I may also be a famous and unknown artist throughout Europe, but that doesn’t count.

This place is a far cry from home, that’s for sure, and I didn’t seek the fame that found me. It was a complete fluke, and why I’ve never shown my face to the world.

Art has always been my escape when life became too much. I spent a lot of time feeling like my parents were disappointed in me because I wasn’t more ‘gifted’, so that turned into getting my emotions out on canvas.

Like I said, fame isn’t something I sought out or even wanted, so I have a pseudonym to keep my life private.

I already hate it here.

There is absolutely no culture to be found here, and the school is pretentious. Not to mention I’m going to be near demons, so my body is always going to be on high alert. I doubt I will find any enjoyment out of the next four years.

Standing in the hall lost in my anger, someone runs into me from behind. When I turn to give them shit for not watching where they’re going, I stop dead in my tracks.

In front of me stands the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. She’s short and curvaceous with long black hair, and has the most intense green eyes you can imagine.

A feeling washes over me that I have to know her. That she is going to turn out to be someone special, and the moment I wrap my arm around her shoulder, it’s like something just clicks and my body hums.

So, what brings you to Connerton Academy? she asks.

Damn.

Her voice is soft and silky like a song. I came to spend some time in the US to expand my horizons so to speak. I grew up in Europe.

I can’t really tell her more because of Dad’s work as an angel, but it’s not a lie either. I have spent a lot of my life travelling from house to house across the continent just so my mother and father could stay together regardless of where he was stationed at the time.

Something about this girl makes me want to tell her everything about myself, including my closest kept secrets, but I can’t. Not yet.

You live in Europe? That’s amazing.Whereabouts?! I want to spend some time travelling there one day. I’ve never left Blossom.

I just barely stop myself from cringing, and I hope she doesn’t see it on my face. I can’t imagine never leaving this place. I’d want to run as far and fast away from here as I possibly could, but that doesn’t mean she feels the same.

Maybe she likes it here, but also wants to travel?

It’s too easy to imagine myself travelling with her, and it’s a little unnerving.

I would love to show her the world and how amazing it is outside of this shit town, though.

I know I should be responsible about this and take things slow. I don’t know what or who she is, but it doesn’t stop me from opening my big mouth before my brain can fully process the action.

We kind of moved all over the place, I tell her with a smirk. Maybe you should come with me next summer, Harls. It’ll be a blast to make your dream come true. No one is better at showing you the best places than someone who lives there, right?

Well, shit. What is this girl doing to my common sense?

She pulls out from under my arm and I think I’ve gone too far. Way to move too fast, dickhead.

Clearing her throat, she levels me with this intense look. First, no one calls me Harls except my best friend. That is, unless you want your ass kicked. Second, we just met, so let’s table the world travel talk for now.

She was laughing at me now, and it’s one hell of a beautiful sight. When she laughs, her eyes sparkle, and her face brightens.

I know just by witnessing it now, that I will do anything to keep her smiling, laughing, and happy.

Noted. Don’t call you…you know…unless I want to get my ass kicked. As cute as you are, I’m quite fond of my ass the way it is so I’ll just have to come up with something else.

She has a fire under her shyness that I didn’t see before and it makes her even more enticing. Whatever she is, I don’t think I care.

You didn’t tell me no on the travel by the way, so I’m going to take that as a win. I wink at her, chuckling as we reach the office.

Yep, I’m a sap.

Turns out, Harleigh and I have almost every class together. Everything except music. That shit isn’t my thing.

I appreciate all forms of artistic expression, but music is way out of my element.

Since it’s our first year, I know we were given the compulsory courses to start. We could have chosen others, but without having many abilities I didn’t have a whole lot of options.

I wonder if it’s the same for her.

I love the way her entire face brightens with the fact that music is on her schedule. With how soft and sweet her voice is I can already tell that she must be absolutely incredible.

By the time we can break for lunch, I’m starving. I didn’t eat breakfast this morning for favour of sleeping in and I am beginning to regret that choice.

Note to self: If breakfast is skipped, bring snacks. My dumb ass can’t handle going hungry.

Hey, beautiful, I greet her as I sit down.

She just got out of music class and her smile is radiant. She’s beaming the same way I do when I’m in the studio and it’s easy to tell music is where it’s at for her.

Beautiful, huh? I guess I can handle that. Just don’t go getting any ideas. She winks at me with this adorable smirk as a blush creeps up on her face.

Sorry, babe, I got ideas the moment I saw you. I just won’t tell you that.

Good because I can tell we’re going to be close, and first names are just too formal, you know?

She rolls her eyes at me before turning back to her lunch. Are you this outgoing with everyone? she asks without looking up.

Interesting question.

Actually, no. I like to keep to myself most of the time, there is just something about you, I tell her before wondering. Are you this open with everyone?

I’m trying something new. She lifts her head to look me square in the eyes. What do you think?

Well, that depends. Is it the real you? I ask.

It is. It’s the me my best friend and family see. I usually just hide it from everyone else.

Why the hell would she ever want to do that? That’s like draining the world of all colour. The world needs more of her vibrant and sassy attitude, not less.

I level her with an incredulous look. Hate to break it to you, beautiful, but I don’t think that’s possible.

Yeah, ok, Casanova. She snorts at me. Like legit snorts, and it’s fucking adorable. I’ll have you know I was a nobody in high school. Invisible.

That’s not even remotely possible. It’s just not. Then they were blind. That, or they were too scared to approach you.

She snorts at me again and goes back to her lunch. Everything this girl does just draws me in. I’m completely sunk.

Your best friend must be someone special if she’s the only one who’s gotten to see the real you aside from family. Is she attending Connerton? I figure she isn’t because she would most likely be sitting with us now, but it never hurts to ask.

She’s amazing, and no she isn’t. She has a longing look on her face that I wish I could erase.

You miss her, huh?

She nods. I do. We grew up together. She’s the sister I never had. She looks thoughtful for a moment before she lets out a quiet chuckle.

What was that adorable smile about? I know I’m nosy, but she is just too cute.

Addy is different. She’s unique and quirky, and extremely outgoing. I was just thinking about how her first day is probably going. The hell she’s causing in college.

We both chuckle.

Ah, so she’s a hellion, is she? I wink, and she laughs.

You have no idea. She’s energetic, vivacious and eccentric, and loves to stir shit up. Never a dull moment.

Well, if she makes you smile like that then I can’t wait to meet her. And hopefully you will find something here to make you smile just as much. I grin at her, and she smirks back at me.

I think I already did.

Well fuck. Are you talking about me, beautiful? I ask, hoping she is. I mean, I think she is, but I also don’t want to seem conceited or some shit.

Harleigh

A group of people approach the table before I can respond. Probably a good thing since flirting isn’t something I’m great at anyway. I was bound to make a fool of myself at the rate we were going.

Look everyone, new blood, the guy at the front of the group taunts, getting everyone else to laugh at his lame ass attempt at being funny.

He’s good looking, in a dark and mysterious kind of way. He’s at least six feet tall with blonde hair, and haunting grey eyes that I swear are trying to burn right through my soul.

I’m Colten Connerton. I just wanted to introduce myself, and make it known that I basically own this place.

Brian stiffens beside me, looking like he wants to say something but doesn’t. Geez, the last thing I need is for him to make a scene. That almost never ends well with morons like this

Got something to say, pretty boy? Colten asks Brian with a glare that, if looks could kill, he would be dead on the floor by now.

If anyone around here is a pretty boy, its him, not Brian. Where Brian is covered in tattoos and piercings, Colten is clean cut, and reeks of pompous rich boy with an undertone of danger.

Serious danger.

Nope. Not at all, he says sarcastically as he salutes Colten and his group.

The looks passing between them make them seem like mortal enemies.

This is going to go south fast. I can feel it.

A smartass angel. Interesting. He turns to look at me. What about you, baby? You got anything to say to me?

Yeah, how about ‘Don’t call me baby’, or even a plain old ‘Fuck off’. But I won’t go there. Not yet, and hopefully not at all.

I roll my eyes at him as I stand and pack up my things. Staying here is the last thing I want to do.

Nope. The p makes a popping sound as I draw the word out.

I throw my bag over my shoulder and turn to leave this mess behind because that’s exactly what it is. One hell of a mess that I like to call drama, and I have no use for it in my life.

Where do you think you’re going? I didn’t say you could leave, Colten snaps, and the look on his face shows he’s shocked that I would just walk away from him.

Yeah right.

I’m not going to let him control me. I made the choice to make the most of being here, even when I wanted to be far away from Blossom. That meant no longer letting others control my choices, but that didn’t mean I needed to stir shit up either.

Brian stands up with me, looking like he’s about to lunge across the table at Colten. Reaching my hand out, I rest it firmly on his arm before turning my attention back to the group surrounding us.

There’s probably about six of them and they’re all sneering at us like we don’t belong.

Look, we don’t want any problems. I just want to go to class, do the work, and graduate in four years. I won’t cause you any trouble. That, I can promise. As I finish speaking, I grab onto Brian’s wrist and pull him toward the doors leading out of the cafeteria.

The one and only way out of here.

Well, he’s a dick. I can’t stand people who use their name as power to make others feel less than them. Why did you stop me from knocking the smile off his demon face? He’s vibrating from the anger toward this guy, and he needs to calm down.

Invisible, remember? I don’t want problems, and people like them feed off of reactions. The bigger the reaction, the happier they are and they think they’ve won. Besides, don’t you think demon is a little harsh? He’s an ass, sure, but I doubt he’s evil.

He huffs out a breath looking at me like I’ve grown another head.

After he studies me for a moment, he nods his head at me and takes my hand in his. The moment our hands connect, I feel a snap of electricity surge through me. I look at him to see his reaction wondering if he felt it too, but if he did, he isn’t letting on.

Okay, you’re right. He takes a deep breath and starts leading us to our next class. Probably not a great idea to be causing a fight on the first day anyway. My parents would be pissed.

I bet. I would not want to be on the receiving end of that phone call. We may be eighteen now, but our parents can still hand us our asses.

Thank you. I smile at him and squeeze his hand once more before pulling away.

The feeling of emptiness I get when his hand is gone is one I didn’t expect. Holding his hand felt natural. This was turning out to be a strange day.

At the end of the day, I’m looking forward to unpacking my room and calling Adeline. I miss her so much already. I guess that’s what happens when you grow up next door to each other. You get attached. Addy is like a sister to me, and being in separate schools for the first time is an adjustment.

So, any plans for the evening, beautiful? Brian asks as we pack up our books.

Same as you, I presume. Unpack and get settled. And boy was I looking forward to the settled part of that statement.

I needed to be surrounded by my things to start de-stressing and feeling